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United States Patent |
6,135,453
|
Srichayaporn
|
October 24, 2000
|
Method and apparatus for playing a high/low poker game
Abstract
A method of playing a high/low poker game includes each seated player
placing a first high hand wager in a first high hand betting location and
a first low hand wager in a first low hand betting location; each seated
player optionally placing one or more additional wagers in one or more
additional high hand or low hand betting locations; each seated player
designating at least two cards or tiles selected from an initial hand as a
high hand and designating at least two cards or tiles from an initial hand
as a low hand; determining winners and paying wagers for the first high
hand and first low hand betting locations by comparing the relative rank
of the seated players' high hands and low hands, respectively; and, if a
seated player placed a wager in one or more additional high hand or low
hand betting locations, then determining winners and paying wagers for
each additional high hand betting location and each additional low hand
betting location. A banking version of a high/low poker game additionally
includes the step of a dealer setting out a dealer high hand and a dealer
low hand to which the player's hands will be compared. In addition, an
apparatus for playing a high/low poker game includes a playing area with
at least two player stations designated to provide a high hand placement
location; a low hand placement location; two or more high hand betting
locations; and two or more low hand betting locations.
Inventors:
|
Srichayaporn; Songsak (886 W. Galveston St., #116, Chandler, AZ 85224)
|
Appl. No.:
|
139553 |
Filed:
|
August 25, 1998 |
Current U.S. Class: |
273/292; 273/294; 273/303; 273/309 |
Intern'l Class: |
A63F 001/00 |
Field of Search: |
273/303,294,292,309
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
3998462 | Dec., 1976 | Goot.
| |
4659087 | Apr., 1987 | Shen et al.
| |
5255915 | Oct., 1993 | Miller.
| |
5288081 | Feb., 1994 | Breeding.
| |
5288082 | Feb., 1994 | Marquez.
| |
5294128 | Mar., 1994 | Marquez.
| |
5322295 | Jun., 1994 | Cabot et al.
| |
5356140 | Oct., 1994 | Dabrowski et al.
| |
5377973 | Jan., 1995 | Jones et al.
| |
5382025 | Jan., 1995 | Sklansky et al.
| |
5397128 | Mar., 1995 | Hese.
| |
5411268 | May., 1995 | Nelson et al.
| |
5431408 | Jul., 1995 | Adams.
| |
5437462 | Aug., 1995 | Breeding.
| |
5452899 | Sep., 1995 | Skratulia et al.
| |
5486005 | Jan., 1996 | Neal.
| |
5489101 | Feb., 1996 | Moody.
| |
5531440 | Jul., 1996 | Dabrowski et al.
| |
5531441 | Jul., 1996 | Dabrowski et al.
| |
5531448 | Jul., 1996 | Moody.
| |
5544892 | Aug., 1996 | Breeding.
| |
5573249 | Nov., 1996 | Johnson.
| |
5584486 | Dec., 1996 | Franklin.
| |
5632487 | May., 1997 | Nguyen.
| |
5692755 | Dec., 1997 | Gutierrez.
| |
5752702 | May., 1998 | McDoniel.
| |
5810360 | Sep., 1998 | Srichayaporn.
| |
5863041 | Jan., 1999 | Boyan.
| |
5863042 | Jan., 1999 | Lo.
| |
5868392 | Feb., 1999 | Kraft.
| |
5911419 | Jun., 1999 | Delaney.
| |
Primary Examiner: Passaniti; Sebastiano
Assistant Examiner: Mendiratta; V K
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Schmeiser, Olsen & Watts, Mauri; Robert J.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of playing a high/low poker game, the method comprising the
steps of:
a) each of two or more players placing a first high hand wager in a first
high hand betting location and a first low hand wager in a first low hand
betting location;
b) each of the players optionally placing one or more additional wagers in
one or more additional high hand or low hand betting locations;
c) a dealer dealing an initial hand of at least four hierarchical
indicators to each of the players;
d) each of the players designating at least two hierarchical indicators
selected from the initial hand as a high hand and designating at least two
hierarchical indicators from the initial hand as a low hand;
e) determining a first high hand or first high hand winners for the first
high hand betting location by:
I) comparing the relative rank of the players' high hands;
II) determining the highest ranking hand of the players' high hands; and
III) declaring each of the players having the highest ranking hand a first
high hand winner;
f) paying the wagers in the first high hand betting location to the first
high hand winner and, in the event of a tie, dividing the wagers in the
first high hand betting location among the first high hand winners;
g) determining winners for the first low hand betting location by:
I) comparing the relative rank of the players' low hands;
II) determining the lowest ranking hand of the players' low hands; and
III) declaring each of the players having the lowest ranking hand a first
low hand winner;
h) paying the wagers in the first low hand betting location to the first
low hand winner and, in the event of a tie, dividing the wagers in the
first low hand betting location among the first low hand winners; and
i) if at least one seated player placed a wager in one or more additional
high hand or low hand betting locations, then determining winners and
paying wagers for each additional high hand betting location and each
additional low hand betting location.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the two or more players comprise two to
eight players.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the hierarchical indicators are selected
from the group consisting essentially of cards, tiles, standard playing
cards, and Pai-Gow tiles.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more additional high hand or
low hand betting locations comprises two additional high hand and two
additional low hand betting locations.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the initial hand comprises seven cards,
the high hand comprises five cards, and the low hand comprises two cards.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the initial hand comprises four tiles,
the high hand comprises two tiles, and the low hand comprises two tiles.
7. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising the step of each backline
player placing one or more additional wagers in the one or more additional
high hand or low hand betting locations that are not played by the two or
more players.
8. A method of playing a high/low poker game, the method comprising the
steps of:
a) each of two or more players placing a first high hand wager in a first
high hand betting location and a first low hand wager in a first low hand
betting location, wherein the first high hand wager and first low hand
wager made by each player may be different;
b) each seated player optionally placing one or more additional wagers in
one or more additional high hand or low hand betting locations;
c) a dealer dealing an initial hand of at least four hierarchical
indicators to each of the players and setting out a dealer high hand and a
dealer low hand;
d) each seated player designating at least two hierarchical indicators
selected from the initial hand as a high hand and designating at least two
hierarchical indicators from the initial hand as a low hand;
e) determining winners for the first high hand betting location by:
I) comparing the relative rank of each player's high hand to the dealer's
high hand;
II) determining the highest ranking hand of the players' high hands; and
III) declaring each of the players having a hand that ranks higher than the
dealer's high hand a first high hand winner;
f) paying to one of the first high hand winners an amount equivalent to the
one first high hand winner's first high hand wager, and continuing the
step of paying to one of the first high hand winners until each of the
first high hand winners has been paid;
g) determining winners for the first low hand betting location by:
I) comparing the relative rank of each seated player's low hand to the
dealer's low hand;
II) determining the lowest ranking hand of the players' low hands; and
III) declaring each of the players having a hand that ranks lower than the
dealer's low hand a first low hand winner;
h) paying to one of the first low hand winners an amount equivalent to the
one first low hand winner's first low hand wager, and continuing the step
of paying to one of the first low hand winners until each of the first low
hand winners has been paid; and
i) if at least one seated player placed a wager in one or more additional
high hand or low hand betting locations, then determining winners and
paying wagers for each additional high hand betting location and each
additional low hand betting location.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the two or more players comprise two to
eight players.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the hierarchical indicators are selected
from the group consisting essentially of cards, tiles, standard playing
cards, and Pai-Gow tiles.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more additional high hand or
low hand betting locations comprises two additional high hand and two
additional low hand betting locations.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein the initial hand comprises seven cards,
the high hand comprises five cards, and the low hand comprises two cards.
13. The method of claim 8, wherein the initial hand comprises four tiles,
the high hand comprises two tiles, and the low hand comprises two tiles.
14. The method of claim 8, additionally comprising the step of each
backline player placing one or more additional wagers in the one or more
additional high hand or low hand betting locations that are not played by
the two or more players.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of declaring each of the players
having the highest ranking hand a first high hand winner and the step of
declaring each of the players having the lowest ranking hand a first low
hand winner are independent.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein the hierarchical indicators are at least
one deck of standard playing cards and at least one joker, wherein the at
least one joker may be used to represent an ace, to complete a straight or
a flush, or to represent any card.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of if at least one seated player
placed a wager in one or more additional high hand or low hand betting
locations, then determining winners and paying wagers for each additional
high hand betting location and each additional low hand betting location
comprises the steps of:
I) performing the following steps for each additional high hand betting
location:
A) selecting one of the additional high hand betting locations;
B) determining a winner or winners for this selected high hand betting
location by:
1) comparing the relative rank of the players' high hands;
2) determining the highest ranking hand of the players' high hands; and
3) declaring each of the players having the highest ranking hand a winner
of the selected high hand betting location; and
C) paying the wagers in the selected high hand betting location to the
winner of the selected high hand betting location and, in the event of a
tie, dividing the wagers in the selected high hand betting location among
the winners of the selected high hand betting location; and
II) performing the following steps for each additional low hand betting
location:
A) selecting one of the additional low hand betting locations;
B) determining a winner or winners for the selected low hand betting
location by:
1) comparing the relative rank of the players' low hands;
2) determining the lowest ranking hand of the players' low hands; and
3) declaring each of the players having the lowest ranking hand a winner of
the selected low hand betting location; and
C) paying the wagers in the selected low hand betting location to the
winner of the selected low hand betting location and, in the event of a
tie, dividing the wagers in the selected low hand betting location among
the winners of the selected low hand betting location.
18. The method of claim 1 wherein the first high hand betting location
comprises a plurality of first high hand betting locations, each of the
plurality of first high hand betting locations corresponding to one of the
players, and wherein the first low hand betting location comprises a
plurality of first low hand betting locations, each of the plurality of
first low hand betting locations corresponding to one of the players.
19. The method of claim 1 wherein the first high hand wager and first low
hand wager made by each player may be different.
20. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of declaring each of the players
having a hand that ranks higher than the dealer's high hand a first high
hand winner and the step of declaring each of the players having a hand
that ranks lower than the dealer's low hand a first low hand winner are
independent.
21. The method of claim 8 wherein the hierarchical indicators are at least
one deck of standard playing cards and at least one joker, wherein the at
least one joker may be used to represent an ace, to complete a straight or
a flush, or to represent any card.
22. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of if at least one seated player
placed a wager in one or more additional high hand or low hand betting
locations, then determining winners and paying wagers for each additional
high hand betting location and each additional low hand betting location
comprises the steps of:
I) performing the following steps for each additional high hand betting
location:
A) selecting one of the additional high hand betting locations;
B) determining a winner or winners for the selected high hand betting
location by:
1) comparing the relative rank of each player's high hand to the dealer's
high hand;
2) determining the highest ranking hand of the players' high hands; and
3) declaring each of the players having a hand that ranks higher than the
dealer's high hand a winner of the selected high hand betting location;
and
C) paying to one of the winners of the selected high hand betting location
an amount equivalent to the high hand wager placed in the selected high
hand betting location by the one winner of the selected high hand betting
location, and continuing the step of paying to one of the winners of the
selected high hand betting location until each of the winners of the
selected high hand betting location has been paid; and
II) performing the following steps for each additional low hand betting
location:
A) selecting one of the additional low hand betting locations;
B) determining a winner or winners for the selected low hand betting
location by:
1) comparing the relative rank of each player's low hand to the dealer's
low hand;
2) determining the lowest ranking hand of the players' low hands; and
3) declaring each of the players having a hand that ranks lower than the
dealer's low hand a winner of the selected low hand betting location; and
C) paying to one of the winners of the selected low hand betting location
an amount equivalent to the low hand wager placed in the selected low hand
betting location by the one winner of the selected low hand betting
location, and continuing the step of paying to one of the winners of the
selected low hand betting location until each of the winners of the
selected low hand betting location has been paid.
23. The method of claim 8 wherein the first high hand betting location
comprises a plurality of first high hand betting locations, each of the
plurality of first high hand betting locations corresponding to one of the
players, and wherein the first low hand betting location comprises a
plurality of first low hand betting locations, each of the plurality of
first low hand betting locations corresponding to one of the players.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
This invention generally relates to the field of gaming and more
specifically relates to a method of playing cards.
2. Background Art
The game of poker is one of the most popular card games played throughout
the world. This game is typically played with a standard deck of playing
cards containing fifty-two cards in four different suits. In another
variation, Pai-Gow Tiles, a set of thirty-two tiles, somewhat similar to
common domino tiles, are used in place of playing cards. The object of a
standard game of "high" poker is for a player to collect a combination of
cards or tiles in their hand having the highest rank relative to the other
players' hands. Similarly, the object of the game of "low poker" is to
collect a combination of cards or tiles having the lowest relative rank.
The determination of what constitutes the highest or lowest ranking hand
is based on a hierarchy of card or tile hands long established in poker
and Pai-Gow. For example, in a five-card hand, the highest possible
ranking hand is a "royal flush" including an Ace, King, Queen, Jack and
Ten card all having the same suit (e.g., all diamonds). Similarly, in a
five-card hand, the lowest possible ranking hand is a mixture including a
Two, Three, Four, Five, and Six card having four different suits (e.g.,
diamonds, hearts, spades, and clubs). Thus, it can be seen that poker
hands are ranked according to the hierarchy of the individual card or tile
as well as the hierarchy of certain card combinations well known in the
art.
Over the years, several variations of poker have been developed and become
well established. One of these is high/low poker where the objective is to
obtain either the highest ranking hand or the lowest ranking hand.
Typically, high/low poker is played with a single hand and a player
decides whether to attempt forming either the highest hand or the lowest
hand. Many players prefer this type of poker because it doubles a player's
chance of winning a portion of the "pot" or wagered amount. In a casino or
gaming establishment setting, high/low poker is typically played at tables
that include a location for a dealer and about six additional players.
Each player places a bet and receives several cards. In order to win his
bet, the cards in a player's hand must have a higher rank than the other
players' high hands or a lower rank than the other players' low hands. A
few variations of the standard high/low poker game have been developed.
One of these variations is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,294,128 to Marquez
for a high/high/low banking card game. The patent is incorporated herein
by reference for its pertinent and supportive teachings.
Although poker is a very popular card game, there are many areas of the
country where poker cannot be played in regulated gaming establishments
and casinos. For example, in Arizona, there are many gambling casinos that
are operated on Federal Indian Reservations under the oversight of the
National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC). According to the current laws
governing these gaming establishments, traditional poker and other "dealer
bank" games may not be played because they are categorized as class III
games under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). In "dealer bank"
games, the dealer or house acts as the bank, paying all losses and
collecting all winnings from the other players at the table.
In view of this, it would be desirable to have a high/low poker game where
the dealer did not operate as the bank, thereby creating a game that could
be approved for use on Federal Indian Reservations. This would increase
the revenue for the casinos and provide additional opportunities for
gaming enjoyment for the patrons of the establishments. In addition, new
and exciting variations of existing games are useful to stimulate interest
and to attract new customers to casinos. While the basic high/low poker
game can be enjoyable, alternate betting strategies would add variety and
increased interest to game play.
In addition, without a constant influx of new and stimulating gaming
options and opportunities, many casino customers have a tendency to lose
interest in the casino and will generally seek entertainment elsewhere.
Therefore, what is needed is a non-banking high/low poker game that can
offer a variety of stimulating betting options and other variations to
generate customer interest in the game and continued entertainment for the
patrons of the casinos.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
According to the present invention, a method of playing a high/low poker
game is provided, including the steps of: a) each of two or more seated
players placing a first high hand wager in a first high hand betting
location and a first low hand wager in a first low hand betting location;
b) each seated player optionally placing one or more additional wagers in
one or more additional high hand or low hand betting locations; c) a
dealer dealing an initial hand of at least four hierarchical indicators to
each of the seated players; d) each seated player designating at least two
hierarchical indicators selected from the initial hand as a high hand and
designating at least two hierarchical indicators from the initial hand as
a low hand; e) determining a winner or winners for the first high hand
betting location by comparing the relative rank of the players' high
hands, determining which of these hands is the highest rank, and declaring
the players that have this hand as winners of the first high hand betting
location; f) paying the wagers in the first hand betting location to the
winner and, in the event of a tie, dividing the wagers among the winners;
g) determining a winner or winners for the first low hand betting location
by comparing the relative rank of the seated players' low hands
determining which of these hands is the lowest rank, and declaring the
players that have this hand as winners of the first low hand betting
location; h) paying the wagers in the first low hand betting location to
the winner and, in the event of a tie, dividing the wagers among the
winners; and i) if at least one seated player placed a wager in one or
more additional high hand or low hand betting locations, then determining
winners and paying wagers for each additional high hand betting location
and each additional low hand betting location.
Another method of playing a high/low poker game is provided, including the
steps of: a) each of two or more seated players placing a first high hand
wager in a first high hand betting location and a first low hand wager in
a first low hand betting location; b) each seated player optionally
placing one or more additional wagers in one or more additional high hand
or low hand betting locations; c) a dealer dealing an initial hand of at
least four hierarchical indicators to each of the seated players and
setting out a dealer high hand and a dealer low hand; d) each seated
player designating at least two hierarchical indicators selected from the
initial hand as a high hand and designating at least two hierarchical
indicators from the initial hand as a low hand; e) determining winners for
the first high hand betting location by comparing the relative rank of
each seated player's high hand to the dealer's high hand and selecting all
seated players having higher ranking high hand; f) paying the wagers in
the first high hand betting location to the winners from the dealer bank;
g) determining winners for the first low hand betting location by
comparing the relative rank of each seated player's low hand to the
dealer's low hand and selecting all seated players having a lower ranking
low hand; h) paying the wagers in the first low hand betting location to
the winners from the dealer bank; and i) if at least one seated player
placed a wager in one or more additional high hand or low hand betting
locations, then determining winners and paying wagers for each additional
high hand betting location and each additional low hand betting location.
By way of example in either or both of the two methods above, the two or
more seated players may comprise two to eight seated players. Also, the
hierarchical indicators may be selected from the group consisting
essentially of cards, tiles, standard playing cards, and Pai-Gow tiles.
Additionally, the one or more additional high hand or low hand betting
locations may comprise two additional high hand and two additional low
hand betting locations. Also for example, the initial hand may comprise
seven cards, the high hand may comprise five cards, and the low hand may
comprise two cards. Similarly, the initial hand may comprise four tiles,
the high hand may comprise two tiles, and the low hand may comprise two
tiles. Further, backline betting may be provided by each backline player
placing one or more additional wagers in the one or more additional high
hand or low hand betting locations that are not played by the two or more
seated players. A backline player is a participating player that does not
receive a hand, but may wager on a seated player's hands.
The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention
will be apparent from the following more particular description of
preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be
described in conjunction with the appended drawings, where like
designations denote like elements, and:
FIG. 1 is a top view of a table layout showing a playing area according to
a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a top view of a player station from FIG. 1; and
FIG. 3 is a top view of a player station according to another preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A method of playing a high/low poker game is provided, essentially
comprising the steps of the players making wagers, distributing
hierarchical indicators, such as standard playing cards, Pai-Gow tiles, or
other indicators, the players setting their hands, and the dealer
determining winners. According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the method comprises the steps of: a) each of two or more
seated players placing a first high hand wager in a first high hand
betting location and a first low hand wager in a first low hand betting
location; b) each seated player optionally placing one or more additional
wagers in one or more additional high hand or low hand betting locations;
c) a dealer dealing an initial hand of at least four hierarchical
indicators to each of the seated players; d) each seated player
designating at least two hierarchical indicators selected from the initial
hand as a high hand and designating at least two hierarchical indicators
from the initial hand as a low hand; e) determining winners for the first
high hand betting location by comparing the relative rank of the seated
players' high hands and selecting all seated players having a highest
ranking high hand; f) paying the wagers in the first high hand betting
location to the winner and, in the event of a tie, dividing the wagers
among the winners; g) determining winners for the first low hand betting
location by comparing the relative rank of the seated players' low hands
and selecting all seated players having a lowest ranking low hand; h)
paying the wagers in the first low hand betting location to the winner
and, in the event of a tie, dividing the wagers among the winners; and i)
if at least one seated player placed a wager in one or more additional
high hand or low hand betting locations, then determining winners and
paying wagers for each additional high hand betting location and each
additional low hand betting location.
The above method describes a non-banking high/low poker game. In the
alternative, another preferred embodiment of the present invention also
provides a banking high/low poker game. In a banking version, the method
comprises the steps of: a) each of two or more seated players placing a
first high hand wager in a first high hand betting location and a first
low hand wager in a first low hand betting location; b) each seated player
optionally placing one or more additional wagers in one or more additional
high hand or low hand betting locations; c) a dealer dealing an initial
hand of at least four hierarchical indicators to each of the seated
players and setting out a dealer high hand and a dealer low hand; d) each
seated player designating at least two hierarchical indicators selected
from the initial hand as a high hand and designating at least two
hierarchical indicators from the initial hand as a low hand; e)
determining winners for the first high hand betting location by comparing
the relative rank of each seated player's high hand to the dealer's high
hand and selecting all seated players having higher ranking high hand; f)
paying the wagers in the first high hand betting location to the winners
from the dealer bank; g) determining winners for the first low hand
betting location by comparing the relative rank of each seated player's
low hand to the dealer's high hand and selecting all seated players having
a lower ranking low hand; h) paying the wagers in the first low hand
betting location to the winners from the dealer bank; and i) if at least
one seated player placed a wager in one or more additional high hand or
low hand betting locations, then determining winners and paying wagers for
each additional high hand betting location and each additional low hand
betting location.
Understandably, there are several variations of the banking and non-banking
methods described above that are within the scope of the present
invention. A few variations according to preferred embodiments of the
present invention are described below for both banking and non-banking
methods. Preferably, the two or more seated players comprise two to eight
seated players. Also, the hierarchical indicators include standard playing
cards and Pai-Gow tiles as indicated above, but may also include a set of
another type of card or tile that allows the playing of high/low poker
according to the present invention. Accordingly, any set of cards or tiles
may be used provided they have identifying markings and a system of
hierarchy is designated such that hands of varying hierarchy will exist
among players who are dealt the cards or tiles. Also, preferably the one
or more additional high hand or low hand betting locations comprise two
additional high hand and two additional low hand betting locations. If
using a deck of fifty-two standard playing cards, then preferably the
initial hand comprises seven cards, the high hand comprises five cards,
and the low hand comprises two cards. If using a set of thirty-two Pai-Gow
tiles, then preferably the initial hand comprises four tiles, the high
hand comprises two tiles, and the low hand comprises two tiles. Other
variations in the number of hierarchical indicators in the initial hand,
high hand, and low hand are also within the scope of the present
invention. Backline betting may also be incorporated into the methods
above by adding the step of each backline player placing one or more
additional wagers in the one or more additional high hand or low hand
betting locations that are not played by the two or more seated players. A
backline player is a participating player that does not receive a hand,
but may wager on a seated player's hands.
In addition, a preferred embodiment of the present invention also includes
an apparatus for playing a high/low poker game that provides a playing
area with at least two player stations designated, wherein each of the at
least two player stations comprises a) a high hand placement location; b)
a low hand placement location; c) two or more high hand betting locations;
and d) two or more low hand betting locations. More preferably, the
apparatus includes three high hand betting locations, three low hand
betting locations, and two to eight player stations.
As shown in FIG. 1, an apparatus 10 for playing a high/low poker game may
include a playing area 101 with seven player stations 103 designated, one
for each seated player 102. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 2, each player
station comprises a high hand placement location 206, a low hand placement
location 207, a first high hand betting location 200, two additional high
hand betting locations 201, 202, a first low hand betting location 205,
and two additional low hand betting locations 204, 203. FIG. 3 shows an
alternative positioning of the locations presented in FIG. 2, yielding an
alternative player station 303. Notably, the same locations are present in
FIG. 3 compared to FIG. 2, but they are rearranged to different positions.
Understandably, other variations in position would also be within the
scope of the present invention.
One example of a preferred method according to the present invention is
presented below in the form of a set of game rules, house rules, dealing
procedures, and hand ranking as might be set forth by a gaming
establishment using the present invention. The description below is given
by way of example, and not limitation. Variations set forth below may also
be revised within the scope of the present invention to yield other
methods in keeping with the basic methods described above.
EXAMPLE 1
Introduction
1. This is a poker style game utilizing a dealer button.
2. This can be a banking or non-banking card game. If the game is banked by
the House or Player, Players play against the House or the Player banking
the card game. Players banking the game are limited to two (2) banks per
round!
3. This game offers the winning player up to six to one (6-1) odds on the
amount each player wagers. These odds are only effective in a non-banking
game!
4. The game is played with a standard deck consisting of fifty-two (52)
cards, plus a Joker. The Joker can be represented in three (3) ways: Aces,
Straights or Flushes. As an option, the Joker can be wild (any card). Aces
can be played either high or low when making a player's hand.
5. Each player is dealt seven (7) cards. The object of the game is to
create two (2) poker ranking hands. The front hands consist of two (2)
cards (low hand) and the back hands consist of five (5) cards (high hand).
6. All players' front hands compete against all other players' front hands.
All players' back hands compete against all other players' back hands.
7. The front hands from each player must be placed vertically in the low
box and the back hands from each player must be placed horizontally in the
high box. Once the cards are placed in their proper boxes, they may not be
touched any further until the dealer begins exposing all hands, starting
with the person in front of the button.
8. Cards removed from the table may be declared dead.
9. The casino will determine if backline betting is allowed (please see
house rule number six (6)). If backline betting is allowed, in the event
of a dispute over the setting of the hands, the player with the most money
in action will make the final decision on how both hands are to be set. If
it's determined that both players have equal bets, the seated player will
make all final decisions on the placement of the cards.
10. The Floor Supervisor's decision is absolutely final!
Game Rules
1. All of the players compete against each other.
2. Up to seven (7) players are seated at the table.
3. Once the dealer announces, "No more bets (end of wagering)," players may
not touch their bet(s) for any reason!
4. The game is played utilizing six (6) circles (three (3) circles in each
high and low hands) as shown in FIG. 2. The first (1st) circle 201, 205
(in each high and low hand) requires a mandatory bet determined by the
casino. The second (2nd) and third (3rd) circles 201, 202, 204, 203 in
FIG. 2 are optional, with predetermined limits also determined by the
casino.
5. Each player will be dealt or receive seven (7) cards. The object of the
game is to create two (2) poker ranking hands. The front hand consist of
two (2) cards (low hand) and the back hand consists of five (5) cards
(high hand).
5A. When an action button and a dice cup is used, the following procedures
will take place: The dealer will ask the player with the dealer button to
select a pile in which to place the action button over. Then, the dealer
will hand the same player the dice cup and ask him/her to shake the dice
to determine the placement of the cards.
6. When all hands are set (completed), the dealer will announce "All hands
set." Then, the dealer will start in front of the dealer button exposing
all front hands first (low hands) to locate the winning hands for each
circle. He/she will then pay off the winners. After retrieving the winning
hands, he/she will repeat the same procedure when finding the winning high
hands.
7. Players betting in the second circles 201, 204, and third circles 202,
203 will play their hands to its conclusion (both high and low hands).
8. The best hand for each circle wins and collects the pot for that circle.
Pots for each circle may be divided in the event of ties. Alternatively,
the winner for each circle will only collect the amount of the winner's
wager from each loser's circle. For example, if the winner only bet a $10
chip, then the winner may only collect a maximum of a $10 chip from each
loser's circle, even though the loser may have wagered a higher amount.
9. All payoffs can be paid starting from either the first or third circles.
10. The dealer button will always move forward after each hand to the next
player.
House Rules (without backline betting)
1. The game is played with a standard fifty-two (52) card deck plus a
Joker.
2. The game is played with a dealer button.
3. The house collection or ante is determined by the casino.
4. No cash bets are allowed. All bets must be played in chips.
5. Each table and each betting circle has a spread limit defining the
minimum and maximum amount that may be wagered in each spot. Players must
wager at least the table minimum.
If a player bets less than the table minimum required (for each circle),
he/she will receive action only on their bet(s) they placed. The remaining
players will receive their money back for the incorrect wager wagered by
the winner. Any amount wagered over the maximum will receive no action!
6. Backline betting is not allowed!
7. During the deal, if there's one boxed or exposed card dealt, the dealer
will continue to deal. When the dealer completes his deal, the boxed or
exposed card will be replaced with the top card from the stub. If an Ace
or Joker is boxed or exposed, it will be declared a misdeal. If any two
(2) cards are dealt face up, it will be declared a misdeal.
8. If a player exposes his/her own cards, the hand must play!
9. When the dealer starts exposing the first hand and notices one player
with his hand not set, the dealer will immediately call for a supervisor.
The supervisor will close the exposed hand first. That supervisor will
call another supervisor to set the player's hand that wasn't set upon the
exposure of the first player's cards.
10. A player removing a winning wager from the betting circles may be paid
the minimum bet if the correct amount of the wager cannot be determined.
11. A player removing a losing wager from the betting circles may be
barred!
12. The contents of each hand must be kept secret. During play of each
hand, only English may be spoken.
13. Management reserves the right to make decisions which are in the best
interest of the game. Therefore, under special circumstances, a decision
may be rendered that is contrary to the strict and technical
interpretation of these rules.
House Rules (with backline betting)
1. The game is played with a standard fifty-two (52) card deck plus a
Joker.
2. The game is played with a dealer button.
3. The house collection or ante is determined by the casino.
4. No cash bets are allowed. All bets must be played in chips.
5. Each table and each betting circle has a spread limit defining the
minimum and maximum amount that may be wagered in each spot. Players must
wager at least the house minimum.
If a player bets less than the table minimum required (for each circle),
he/she will receive action only on their bet(s) they placed. The remaining
players will receive their money back for the incorrect wager wagered by
the winner. Any amount wagered over the maximum will receive no action!
6. Backline betting is allowed in addition to the player's wagers. A seated
player may not refuse wagering on a position they are not playing. In the
event of a dispute over the play of a hand, the player with the most money
in action will make the final decision whether to hit or stand. If it's
determined that both players have equal bets, the seated player will make
all final decisions on the placement of the cards.
7. During the deal, if there's one boxed or exposed card dealt, the dealer
win continue to deal. When the dealer completes his deal, the boxed or
exposed card will be replaced with the top card from the stub. If an Ace
or Joker is boxed or exposed during the deal, it will be declared a
misdeal. If any two (2) cards are exposed during the deal, it will be
declared a misdeal.
8. If a player exposes his/her own cards, the hand must play!
9. When the dealer starts exposing the first hand and notices one player
with his hand not set, the dealer will immediately call for a supervisor.
The supervisor will close the exposed hand first. That supervisor will
call another supervisor to set the player's hand that wasn't set upon the
exposure of the first player's cards.
10. A player removing a winning wager from the betting circles maybe paid
the minimum bet if the correct amount of the wager cannot be determined.
11. A player removing a losing wager from the betting circles may be
barred.
12. The contents of each hand must be kept secret. During play of each
hand, only English may be spoken.
13. Management reserves the right to make decisions which are in the best
interest of the game. Therefore, under special circumstances, a decision
may be rendered that is contrary to the strict and technical
interpretation of these rules.
Dealing Procedures (Thumbing down the cards in front of the dealer tray)
1. STARTING A NEW GAME:
The dealer will spread and check both decks to insure that each deck is
complete. Then, the dealer will place the dealer button in front of seat
one. The house dealer will shake the dice cup to determine the placement
of the dealer button.
2. SHUFFLING PROCEDURE:
The dealer will scramble and shuffle the deck to be used. He/she will then
shuffle, shuffle, box and shuffle while asking the players to place their
bets.
3. CUTTING PROCEDURE:
The dealer will present the deck to the player with the dealer button and
offer him/her to cut the deck. The dealer will place the cut card in front
of the deck. The player win cut the deck forward, using one (1) hand only,
and the house dealer will finish the cut.
4. THE DEALING OF THE CARDS:
A. The dealer will carefully thumb down seven (7) cards in front of his/her
tray starting from left to right and reversing this procedure six (6) more
times until each pile has seven cards total. There should be four (4)
cards remaining.
B. During the deal, if one (1) boxed card or one (1) exposed card exists,
the dealer win continue to deal. When the dealer completes his/her deal,
the boxed card or the exposed card will be replaced with the top card from
the stub.
C. If an two (2) cards are exposed, it will be declared a misdeal.
D. If the boxed or exposed card is an Ace or a Joker, it will be declared a
misdeal.
E. If a player exposes his/her own cards, the hand must play!
5. THE READING OF THE DICE:
The position of the player with the dealer button is either one (1), eight
(8) or fifteen (15). That is, if the dice total is three (3) to seven (7),
then the dealer button is at position one (1) and moves clockwise by
counting positions to the position designated by the dice total. If the
dice total is eight (8) to fourteen (14), then the dealer button is at
position eight (8) and if the dice total is fifteen (15) or greater, then
the dealer button is at position fifteen (15).
6. THE DELIVERING OF THE CARDS:
The dealer will ask the player with the dealer button to select a pile in
which to place the action button over. Then, the dealer will hand the same
player the dice cup and ask him/her to shake the dice to determine the
placement of the cards. The cards are also delivered clockwise, starting
from the action button. Before the dealer opens the dice cup, the dealer
will announce, "No more bets." After the cards are delivered to each
player, the dealer will shake the dice cup and put it back in his/her
tray.
7. THE SETTING OF THE HANDS:
When all the players place their cards in the proper boxes, the dealer will
announce, "All hands set."
8. THE EXPOSING OF A HAND TOO SOON:
When the dealer starts exposing the first hand and notices one player with
his hand not set, the dealer will immediately call for a supervisor. The
supervisor will close the exposed hand first. That supervisor will call
another supervisor to set the player's hand that wasn't set upon the
exposure of the first player's cards.
9. LOCATING THE WINNER: The dealer will start exposing the front hands (low
hands), starting from the left of the dealer button to locate the winning
hand(s) for each circle. The dealer will then pay off the winners. He/she
will then place all low hand cards into the muck and proceed to reading
the back hands (high hands), starting again from the left of the dealer
button. The dealer will follow the same procedures (as when reading the
low hands) to find the best high hand(s).
10. PAYOFFS:
All payoffs can be paid starting from either the first (1st) or third (3rd)
circles.
11. COLLECTION DROP:
After the high hand(s) are paid, the dealer will kill the winning hand(s)
and drop the house collection. Then, the dealer will move the dealer
button to the next player.
12. NEW DEALER RELIEVING PREVIOUS DEALER:
When the next dealer comes to relieve (push) the dealer in the box, the
dealer crosses the deck that was used and places it in front of his/her
tray. They will then bring out the second deck and spread them face down
in a semi-circle position.
13. CARD CHANGING PROCEDURE:
The dealer must deal at least one (1) round or close to seven (7) hands
before a customer can request a deck change.
LOW HAND RANKING
1. An Ace with a Joker. Joker is a Deuce.
2. Ace-2
3. Ace-3
4. 2-3
5. Ace-4
6. 2-4
7. 3-4
8. Ace-5
9. 2-5
10. 3-5
11. 4-5
12. Ace-6
13. 2-6
BAD BEAT JACKPOT
A player with a hand of Aces Full that is beat by four (4) of a kind or
better will receive a portion of the jackpot as determined by the casino.
BONUS HANDS
As determined by the casino, bonuses in predetermined amounts may be
awarded to a player with a hand of Five (5) Aces, Royal Flush without
Joker, Royal Flush with Joker, any Straight Flush without Joker, any
Straight Flush with Joker, any four (4) of a kind.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with
reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made
therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, unless otherwise specified, any dimensions of the apparatus
indicated in the drawings or herein are given as an example of possible
dimensions and not as a limitation. Similarly, unless otherwise specified,
any sequence of steps of the method indicated in the drawings or herein
are given as an example of a possible sequence and not as a limitation.
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